#3 – Knowing God Better – John 1 continued
In your country you might have certain rights. Like freedom to speak your mind, freedom to worship God, freedom to travel.
Some rights people obtain by studying. The right to practice medicine or law, for example.
John, chapter one, tell us that if we do something, we have the right to become children of God. Maybe you have already done this. Let’s see.
Referring to Jesus, John 1:10-13
10 “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
Q – Do you have the right to consider yourself a child of God? Why? (look at the Scripture above, then type your answer below)
A –
Q – Your human birth came from your parents. Where did your spiritual birth come from? (see verse 13 below)
A –
13 They are reborn–not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
John goes on to describe how the “Word” came into the world for us.
14 “So the Word [Jesus] became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
When John says, “we have seen his glory,” he is saying that he and the other disciples were amazed by the quality…the uniqueness of Jesus’ life. They saw miracle after miracle that Jesus did for people. He healed the lame and blind, cast out demons, even brought people back to life, proving that he is the Father’s Son.
They saw his glory.
Q – From verses 16 & 17 below, what else did the disciples see in Jesus? Something that was new to them? Something that was not a usual part of their Jewish life of religious laws?
A –
16 “From his [Jesus’] abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.”
In the Bible, you’ll see the “law” refers to God’s commands, including the Ten Commandments, given to Moses.
The law had demands, requirements: “Do this.” “Don’t do that.” The law focused on their actions, their outward religious behavior and responsibilities.
In contrast, Jesus Christ brought them (and us) a relationship. We could now know God’s “unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Read verses 16 & 17 again.)
Q – According to verse 18, why can we know God?
A –
18 “No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”
Q – Please write here a summary of what you’ve learned from all of these verses:
A-
So, that’s a wrap on John 1. We won’t go through every chapter of John. But I will try to go in order for you. So, now read chapter one again, now that you have a full picture!
Next time, jumping ahead to chapter 3.
p.s. Just to avoid confusion, let me mention one other thing from chapter one. John, the author of the book, is one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. There is a second “John” that John the apostle mentions in this chapter: “John the Baptist.”
John the Baptist was somewhat like a front-man for Jesus. His preaching prepared people to believe in Jesus.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com